Parents, please remember that Lower School students go outside for recess in cold weather, unless it is raining or the wind chill is too low. Please be sure your child has the appropriate clothing (coats, hats, gloves and scarves). Thank you!

Basketball Updates

Both the Varsity and JV teams lost close games in the home opener versus C.O.G. Academy. Brandon F. led scoring with 13 points for the Varsity team in a 55-49 loss. John T. led scoring for the JV team with 14 points in a double-overtime loss of 38-36.

Come cheer on the Middle School team, Girls team and Varsity team tonight (12/7)  as they take on Mentor Christian (in Mentor) starting at 6:15 pm.

50/50 Raffle Winner

Congratulations to Mitch and Liz Blair (parents) who were the lucky winners of the Athletic Booster Club 50/50 Raffle. They split a total of $1,130 with the school. Many thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket!

www.lawrencevip.org

The parent-run VIP (Very Involved Parent) website allows parents to communicate with each other about carpooling, school uniforms, and other school activities and events. You must be a member to view content and reply to messages. Signing up is easy; simply go to the "Register" link and sign up using your first initial and last name. As soon as your account is approved, you will be able to view all content.

December 7, 2007

Lower School Dads and Donuts: Dads and Donuts takes place at the Lower School on Friday, Dec. 14 from 7:30-8:30 am. Invitations were mailed home to all Lower School families. Please be sure to RSVP to Mrs. Pat Feith via e-mail or at x1124 by Monday, Dec. 10. We hope to see you there!

Upper School Concert: We are pleased to announce the first Upper School music concert, featuring middle school students and high school Show Choir. "Once Night Only: A Musical Celebration of Stage and Screen" will take place on Wednesday, 12/19, in the Garfield Theatre at the Upper School. There are two performances, at 6:30 and 7:45 pm. A detailed letter was sent home to parents of the students who will be performing. We are looking forward to a fantastic show and hope you will join us!

High School Class Trips: There are two parent meetings scheduled to discuss high school class trips, on Monday Dec. 10, at 8:30 am and 7 pm. Parents, please plan to attend one of these meetings in order to receive your child's class trip packet and hear more about the individual trips. Deposits are due on Friday, Dec. 14. Students in grades 9-10 will be visiting New York City from May 19-22, and students in grades 11-12 will be visiting New Mexico from May 17-22. For questions, contact Mrs. Tracy Pedaline via e-mail or at x2124.

Adopt a Family: The High School Student Council is sponsoring an "Adopt a Family" program on behalf of the Emergency Assistance Center of Summit County. The family they are adopting has unfortunately faced great obstacles this year including the loss of a job. There is a list of items requested by the family that you may view here.  Monetary donations will be used for gift cards to grocery stores and gas stations. We are also accepting non-perishable food items and paper goods to give to the family as well. Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated!

DARE Graduation: The DARE graduation for sixth graders is on Wednesday, December 19 at 1 pm. Families and friends of students who completed the DARE program are invited to the graduation ceremony. Please RSVP to Mrs. Pat Feith via e-mail or x1124.

Parent Technology Classes: The next free Parent Technology class is "A Guide to Internet Safety," on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 4-5:30 in Room 412 at the Upper School. Learn tricks on how to free up sluggish computers that have been bogged down by too much internet traffic, and hear tips on ensuring that your child is practicing online safety. RSVP to Miss Sally Garza via e-mail or x2140. For a complete schedule of remaining courses, click here. These classes are free and open to the public.

Prom 2008: Any parents interested in helping with prom themes, organization, planning and ideas are asked to contact Miss Amanda Hedrick via e-mail or x2407 before Thursday, Dec. 20. Miss Hedrick will be planning an initial organizational meeting for the first week following Winter Break.

Dance for Diversity: The Cleveland Council of Independent Schools (CCIS) is sponsoring a "Dance for Diversity" on Friday, Dec. 14 at 7 pm, at Andrews Osbourne Academy's Willoughby campus. Tickets are $7 each which includes entertainment and food. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the event. This event was planned by the CCIS Diversity in Action committee; both Miss Hedrick and Brandon F. serve as the Lawrence School representatives to this committee. High School students interested in attending should see Miss Hedrick or Brandon for more information.

Student Artwork on Display: The next time you are at the Lower School campus, be sure to stop in the Admissions office to view artwork on display by Mrs. Lipinski's class. They have done sketches of Lions in pastels that will be on display for the next two weeks. Mr. Hamilton will be showcasing more student artwork in his office during the remainder of the school year.

The Right-Brained Future: University School is presenting a discussion with Patrick Bassett (President of the National Association of Independent Schools) on "The Right-Brained Future" at a video-conference on Monday, Dec. 10 from 4-5 pm at University School's Shaker Campus Conway Hall Auditorium at 20701 Brantley Road in Shaker Heights. Based on Daniel Pink's book, "A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future," this seminar will explore the six abilities that are essential for professional success and personal fulfillment: design, story, sympathy, empathy, play and meaning. The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, please call 216-831-1984 x7392.

Toys for Tots:  Middle School students are collecting new and unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots until Friday, December 14. Please bring any toy donations to advisory teachers. The advisory that brings in the most toys will earn a pizza party on Tuesday, Dec. 18!

Market Day: The December incentive for Market Day is Free Gas! Order $35 or more between now and Dec. 13 and you will be entered into a drawing to win a $35 gas card. Orders are due by Thursday, Dec. 13 to the school, or place your order online at www.marketday.com (use school code #22070) by noon on Dec. 14. Thanks for helping us "rev up" our profits in December!

In the New York Times this past Thursday there appeared an article regarding dyslexics and entrepreneurship (small business ownership). Imagine my excitement when I read the following:

"The report, compiled by Julie Logan, a professor of entrepreneurship at the Cass Business School in London, found that more than a third of the entrepreneurs she had surveyed -- 35 percent -- identified themselves as dyslexic. The study also concluded that dyslexics were more likely than non-dyslexics to delegate authority, to excel in oral communication and problem solving and were twice as likely to own two or more businesses."  

As I read this I practically jumped out of my chair. I realize I get excited easily and I don't get out much, but to me this is really big!  Folks in higher education are doing research in the business world gathering evidence and concluding our students - your kids - will be our country's future business leaders!

The article can be viewed here - and I encourage us all to pay close attention to what the research suggests.

When we look at the differences between how we see our students in school, and how they are perceived in the world after they are through school, we can see some interesting contrasts. Students who struggle with language, memory, attention, and executive skills and who ultimately succeed are able to develop compensatory skills and excellent problem solving skills.  These are key to success in small businesses and a host of other pursuits.

I also was interested to learn that the study showed that there was a higher percentage of successful dyslexic business people here in America in comparison with other countries. Credit for this is given to the differences in educational opportunities:

"The study was based on a survey of 139 business owners in a wide range of fields across the United States. Professor Logan called the number who said they were dyslexic 'staggering,' and said it was significantly higher than the 20 percent of British entrepreneurs who said they were dyslexic in a poll she conducted in 2001. She attributed the greater share in the United States to earlier and more effective intervention by American schools to help dyslexic students deal with their learning problems."

Consider the chart below. The left column is how I think schools "see" our students, and what we all generally "complain" about when we characterize our students and their performance in the linear, linguistic, memory laden, world of grading and timed tasks piled one on the other in a day at school. The right hand column gives the matching strength or compensatory skill.  These are qualities that are highly prized in society and the marketplace.

Weak rote memory                      Strong problem solving

Low self esteem                          High empathy

Variable focus/time management  Multi-tasking capabilities

Weak language skills                    Strong visual/spatial skills

Weak organizational skills             Can handle challenging                                                             environments

Hyperactivity                                High energy/output

For our students the message needs to be:  "Don't draw any conclusions about yourself while you are in school!"  Years of anecdotal evidence, and now recent research, points to the fact that our kids can rescue a great future - even from the rubble of their significant struggles in school - as long as they don't lose heart and they focus on strengths as they develop strategies to deal with learning challenges.

The message for us at Lawrence is crystal clear:  What we do every day to support our students and promote their learning makes a difference... now and in the future!

Did this week's Head Notes column inspire you, puzzle you, or otherwise stir a response you would like to share? Let Lou know how you feel!  He welcomes all comments and correspondence via e-mail or phone (440-526-0003 x2102).